New Delhi, Nov 19 (PTI) Aeromodelling enthusiasts haveinitiated an online signature campaign against thegovernment's proposed rules on drones claiming it threatens todestroy recreational flying.
Earlier this month, the aviation regulatory body DGCA hasreleased its draft rules making it mandatory for "unmannedaircraft system" to seek a unique identification number (UIN)as well as an operator permit.
Model aircraft weighing up to 2kg, and those operated bygovernment security agencies are exempted from thisrequirement.
In a petition on online platform Change.org,aeromodellers say that these rules will "render their hobbyand sport impossible and unsustainable".
In a separate petition to the DGCA, submitted as part ofthe consultation procedure before the rules are finalised,they have submitted that a separate category must be carvedout for "model aeroplanes" as these don't pose any securityconcerns.
Aeromodellers explain that as model aeroplanes are flownin the line of sight unlike drones, which can be pre-programmed and can be remotely controlled, they should not beconsidered a security threat.
Hobbyists have also demanded that the weight limit ofmodel planes exempt from registering for a UIN and a permitshould be increased up to 25 kg from 2kg.
"When a multi-copter is made it can be made for a weightless than 2 kgs but how can an aeroplane model made with awooden structure and powered by a motor weigh so less? We canonly make thermocol models for kids with that weight limit butnot the sophisticated versions we currently use," said memberof a flying club called Wings India, Puneet Manaktala.
In their submission to the DGCA aeromodellers have alsoopposed the move to fix the age limit of pilots flying suchaircraft at 18 years.
They have recommended that the government can regulatemodel planes through various flying clubs which can maintainrecords of pilots flying such aircraft instead of requiringmandatory registration with DGCA. PTI JCRCJ.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.